On Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at approximately 11:30 AM, Kentucky State Police, London Post was notified by Wayne County 911 that a male subject had been shot on R Barnett Road in Wayne County.

Upon arrival, officers located a deceased male with a gunshot wound lying in the roadway. The victim was identified as Samuel R. White, age 75, of Monticello, KY. Preliminary investigation revealed a verbal altercation took place between Samuel White and Willard Upchurch at a logging yard. During the verbal altercation, Mr. Upchurch brandished a firearm and fatally shot Mr. White. Mr. White was pronounced deceased by the Wayne County Coroner. An autopsy was conducted at the State Medical Office in Frankfort.

KSP Post 11 London located Willard Ray Upchurch, 66, of Monticello, KY and arrested him for Murder and tampering with physical evidence. He is lodged in the Wayne County Detention Center.

The investigation is continuing by Post 11 Detective Mathew Parmely.  He was assisted at the scene by Post 11 personnel, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne County EMS, Fish and Wildlife, KSP Aircraft and Wayne County Coroner.